Unable to overcome a
sluggish start, the Owen Sound Canadian Tire Jr. Attack Tykes dropped a 5-3
road decision to the Honeywood Novice Hurricanes in Georgian Bay Minor Hockey
League action on Saturday.
Hunter Stewart scored twice and Maddox Burgess added a single for the Tykes, while Jaren Pirie chipped in with two assists and Ethen Williams had one.
“We once again started a road game slow and sloppy, which has become a bad habit for us,” said Jr. Attack head coach Rick Corbett. “After we were able to get our heads and legs in the game we definitely controlled portions of it and had enough chances to make a comeback.”
The Tykes spotted the home side with a three-goal lead within the opening five minutes, before Pirie found Stewart alone in the slot on a rush with 4:13 remaining in the first period.
Honeywood regained its three-goal advantage early in the second frame, but once again Pirie and Stewart connected to inch the Tykes back within two. With 6:19 to play in the second period, Pirie won a face-off draw to the right and winger Stewart wasted no time rifling a quick shot to the back of the net to make it 4-2.
With less than a minute expired in the third period, Burgess, from defenceman Williams, cut Owen Sound’s deficit to one when he sped down the right wing and let rip a blistering shot from the circle that eluded Honeywood goaltender J.T. Yarbrough.
The never-say-die Tykes did everything but even the contest in the late stages, as winger Brian Corbett and defenceman Leighton Hurst both rang shots off the post. With Owen Sound pressing for the equalizer, however, the Hurricanes were able to jump on a turnover and round out the game scoring on a breakaway.
“It was good to see the kids show some character and never quit,” said Corbett, who was impressed by the play of his netminder Ryan Cooke.
"Ryan stood tall in net by making some great saves and he made it possible to mount a comeback. Unfortunately, we came up a little short."
The Tykes will look for a better start out of the gate when they host the Collingwood Blackhawks on Friday, Jan. 3. Game time at the Bayshore Community Centre is 7 p.m.